More kids fainting after shots, CDC reports

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An unprecedented number of U.S. youngsters are fainting after getting shots, especially teenage girls, and doctors need to keep an eye on them, federal health experts cautioned on Thursday.

At least 463 people fainted after getting vaccinated during an 18-month period from 2005 to 2007, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Such fainting is not uncommon and not in itself dangerous -- but some of the patients hit their heads on the floor and at least one had a car accident, the CDC said in its weekly report on death and disease.

One 15-year-old boy died after hitting his head.

More cases may have been reported lately because of new vaccines -- notably against meningitis and the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer -- now recommended for adolescents and older children.

Very young children and babies get a battery of vaccinations in the United States, but vaccinations of older children and teens were not as routine until recent years.

"A girl aged 13 years fainted within 10 minutes of receiving HPV and MCV4 (meningitis) vaccinations," the CDC report reads.

"She fell backward and hit her head on the carpeted floor of the clinic." She fractured her skull and had bleeding on the brain but recovered.

"Providers should strongly consider observing patients for 15 minutes after they are vaccinated," the CDC recommended.

(Reporting by Maggie Fox; Editing by Will Dunham and Eric Walsh)